The future of mobile search trends for 2016 and beyond

By Shan Balasuriya Posted Date: 2016-08-08

The use of mobile devices has drastically increased over last several years and is now at an all-time high. People are now using mobile devices or smartphones as their primary tool for day to day internet browsing and especially to make searches. With the ability to perform an on the spot search at any moment you need, the devices have revolutionized the way people browse on the internet.

The fact that people are now using mobile devices to make online searches as and when they please, has a significant impact on web design and SEO. Below we discuss some of the mobile search trends and what it means for business websites.

‘Mobile First’: is used to imply how important a mobile friendly website is to a business. Having a website that is responsive and adjusts to various screen sizes is of utmost importance. Google now considers a mobile site something of importance and will take that factor into play when displaying mobile search results. If your website isn’t responsive or mobile friendly be ready to be penalized in search ranking and have the risk of your website not being discovered. Considering the increase in mobile device usage, having a mobile friendly website must be an integral part of your business website design.

Micro-moments: a term used to describe the increasing use of mobile search for day to day activities has now overtaken and replaced in-depths search. Whereas on desktop and laptop computers, users are more likely to engage in longer, more in-depth searches. This is a direct result of the mobile use trend - according to Google users can experience hundreds of these micro-moments each day.

Understanding micro-moments will open up opportunities for digital marketing. Optimizing online Ads in order to target these ‘spur of the moment’ searches allows small businesses to engage with potential customers in real time. Hence considering micro moments when performing keyword research is vital.

Mobile search = local search: Google says that one third of all mobile searches are local. This basically means that mobile users are more likely to make searches relating to their immediate local surroundings. This can include phrases like, “I want to buy…” or “I want to go...” Both of these phrases create opportunities for digital marketing. Businesses trying to rank better for local listings should use the basic SEO strategies and in addition also apply some location-specific optimization strategies. One such thing is getting listed in local directories, creating a google my business account, positive earning reviews, location specific keywords and even backlinks from local publications and blogs.

Multiple device use: Sometimes the search process happens on multiple devices, it may start on a mobile phone and end on a desktop, users are now multi-screening. They perform a search while on the move but the final conversion may happen on a desktop. This is one more reason to have a responsive website that can make the transition of search on multiple screens so it seamlessly guides users through the purchase or enquiry process.

The trends above reflect how mobile search is changing and digital marketers and small businesses need to keep up. Speak to web choice online today to find out how we can help you build and execute a comprehensive digital marketing strategy.